How to Cook Lemon Pepper Trout

Lemon and pepper complement grilled or baked trout nicely.

The acidity of lemon and the snap of pepper offer a delicate and delicious flavor combination when used with trout. There are many different ways to cook trout with lemon and pepper, so you are able to customize your dish to your particular tastes and nutritional needs. Lemon pepper trout can be a nice addition to a three-course meal for discerning dinner guests, or a simple and easy treat after a long day of fishing on your next camping trip.

Things You'll Need

• Lemon
• Salt
• Pepper
• Trout
• Aluminum foil
• Lemon pepper (optional)
• Bread crumbs (optional)
• Butter (optional)
• Oil (optional)
• 3 to 4 eggs (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

Grilled Lemon Pepper Trout

1. Light up the grill.

2. Place the trout on a square of aluminum foil. If you choose to keep the scales on the fish, ensure they are facing down.

3. Sprinkle lemon, salt and pepper to taste over the fish. If you do not intend to use fresh lemon, you may use lemon pepper, which can usually be found at any food store.

4. Evenly place squares of butter along one side of the fish. If you wish to decrease the grams of fat and calories of the dish, omit this step.

5. Fold the aluminum foil so that the entire fish is covered. If you are cooking with two pieces of fish, or with the fish split open spine-side down, make sure that the fish parts are lying on top of each other, sandwiching the butter and spices, when folding.

6. Place fish on the grill and cook for eight to 10 minutes, or eight minutes per 1 inch of thickness. Flip the fish once midway through cooking.

Fried Lemon Pepper Trout

1. Heat up enough oil in a frying pan to cover the cuts of trout. If you are not using a frying pan with settings, you can use a pot and heat oil to 350 degrees F.

2. Crack eggs into a bowl and whip.

3. Mix bread crumbs, Parmesan, salt and lemon pepper in a bowl.

4. Dip the trout into egg mixture and then into bread crumb mixture.

5. Slowly lower fish into heated oil using tongs and fry for around three minutes on each side.

6. Remove fish from oil and place in a bowl. Toss with salt and lemon pepper, if desired.

Baked Lemon Pepper Trout

1. Set oven for 375 degrees F.

2. Place fish on aluminum foil.

3. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper, and zest lemon directly over the fish. Squeeze one wedge of lemon juice onto fish. Place chunks of butter on top of fish, if desired.

4. Wrap up fish in aluminum foil and place in a baking dish.

5. Bake fish in oven for 10 to 20 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish pieces.

Tips & Warnings

• Add lemon wedges or vegetables to the tin foil pouch your fish is grilling or baking in for additional flavor.

• If the fish meat flakes away from the skin or bone with a fork, it is done.

• Sprinkle your favorite herbs or spices on the fish in addition to the lemon pepper.

• If you do not use aluminum foil when grilling your fish, oil the grill well to prevent the trout from sticking.

• When grilling, use a spatula to flip your fish.

References

• Cooks.com: Lemon Pepper Trout
• World Fishing Network: Garlic Lemon Pepper Trout
• Iowa Public Television: Cooking with Chef Jon Benedict - Lemon Pepper Trout with Grilled Vegetables